A barrel selection that spent 16 months in one- to two-year-old barrels, the 2011 Cornas Vin Noir (which comes mostly from 100+-year-old vines) is more structured and tight, with knockout cassis, smoked herbs, caramelized beef and bouquet garni-like aromas and flavors all soaring from the glass. Tight, focused and concentrated, with big minerality that comes out with time in the glass, this gorgeous 2011 needs 3-4 years of cellaring and will have upwards of two decades of longevity. Proprietor Stephane Robert is knocking it out of the park from his tiny cellar located in Saint Peray. Producing up to three Cornas in any given vintage, he also releases four whites from Saint Peray and a serious Saint Joseph. Importer: A Jocelyn Cambier Selection, Appellation Imports, Annapolis Junction, MD; tel. (800) 221-9916